Hello sweet friends. I sincerely hope everyone’s new year is off to a great start!
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
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This is the first Monday of a new year and January’s edition of Monday Morning Blooms. Before we leave 2025 behind, let’s review a year of memories made with flowers!
You will find the links for Lidy’s and Mary’s year of beautiful flowers at the bottom of this post.
Our winter days can be gray and cloudy! But, my dining room table offered a colorful citrus themed brunch to brighten a February morning! Lemons, limes, and oranges, the best of winter citrus, were used with pink and white carnations for a centerpiece. The gold and pewter bird stand had never been shared, but it was ideal for a simple centerpiece! The faux lemon topiary belonged to my beloved Mother. I consciously make an effort to always share something on each table with a memory attached. The repurposed scarf, used as a table runner, was purchased on a trip with a life-long friend to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We spent a morning shopping the famous San Telmo Market where I spotted the yellow hand-crafted alpaca wool scarf and met the talented artisan.
Lemon-flavored desserts…slices of lemon cake with lemon icing, lemon poppy seed muffins, and lemon pastries were served with French-pressed coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice!
Late February to early March brings the arrival of spring bulbs like daffodils to our cottage garden. I enjoyed setting up a mini bulb garden in the Sunshine Cottage! I love Muscari, better known as Grape Hyacinth, especially served up in a pretty teacup!
Tulips, hyacinths, muscari, daffodils, and Portmeirion ‘Botanic Garden’ plates brought a breath of springtime into the cottage! Upon opening the cottage door, the heady scent of the hyacinths was mesmerizing!
When April comes, springtime is bursting out all over our Appalachian Foothills with vivid shades of green (rye grass) and gorgeous blooming trees. Surrounded by leaves, new buds, new blooms, and new life springing up around me, my thoughts went beyond creation to the Creator and the promise that Easter brings new life through the resurrection of Christ!
Early spring offers some of my favorite blooms for an arrangement…Snowball Viburnum, Lady Banks Rose, Bridal Wreath Spirea, and my most anticipated, the Kwanzan Cherry tree that was planted years ago by the previous owners of the farm!
May brings a cherished celebration of a mother’s love! Long-time readers will remember the many posts that I have shared about my Mother, a Proverbs 31 woman!
Peonies are a perfect stand alone flower. Karl Rosenfield peonies were placed in a treasured keepsake pitcher that belonged to my paternal grandmother and more than likely was handed down from my great-grandmother. Who says you can’t place elegant blooms in a rustic pitcher on a humble picnic table?!
Blissful blooms on my garden table celebrate hydrangea season! A trip to my friend’s hydrangea farm rewarded me with Macrophylla hydrangeas (often called mophead) and several varieties of Arborescens. Gorgeous blooms certainly make it easier to arrange them with little effort!
My favorite place to set a table is in our garden. Being an April Cornell Brand Ambassador has provided me gorgeous table cloths like this soft-peachy, bloom-covered pattern that complements the hydrangeas and the hand-painted salad plates.
We love living in the country, especially during summer when the garden is in bloom. July is the month for our panicled hydrangeas to be the star blooms…Little Lambs, Vanilla-Strawberry, and Limelights! Memories are often the inspiration for my table settings. While sifting through all the treasures after Daddy passed away, I brought my Mother’s basket home with me. She used it to hold her journals and devotion books. The basket was perfect to hold Little Lamb hydrangeas and it made me happy!
I had this wild idea to set two tables for summer living in the country. What would summer be without picnics and tomato sandwiches? My growing up years always included a picnic table in the back yard. Not only did the neighborhood kids often gather at the table as Mother served refreshments, but my brother and I found another used for the picnic table. It served as our ping pong table. We both became unbeatable with the neighborhood kids. Keeping the ball on that short and narrow table was not an easy feat, but our daily practice paid off!
I rarely choose a favorite tablescape, but sunflowers and patchwork is my favorite of 2025! Sunflowers make me smile and I love their happy faces. The sentimental crocheted napkin rings were made many years ago by a dear friend of my Mother. We all called her Aunt Ruby, she was a widow without children of her own. But she was loved by all!
The beautiful patchwork quilt top was pieced by my Mother at least 50 years ago. It was stored away in my linen closet and fortunately I rediscovered this treasured keepsake. It complimented the sunflower arrangement!
Most of you know that autumn is my favorite season and color! An autumn centerpiece with dahlias and apples placed in a hammered copper pitcher sings that fall has arrived! Dahlias are a favorite autumn flower and when they are available, there is no need to add any other flowers!
The cottage garden stands in the background with potted plants, zinnias, and giant marigolds!
The blissful hues of autumn are evident on and around my table…russet, amber, orange, and scarlet, just to mention a few.
The cottage porch , pictured in the background, was also wearing the blissful hues of autumn! The pitcher was a surprise gift from my RM a couple of years ago.
A Thanksgiving Eve table for two was set in the Sunshine Cottage. Large gold and rust mums along with alstroemeria were found at Trader Joe’s. Coleus and chaste tree blooms were cut from our garden and goldenrod from the Lower 40. The flowers filled the pheasant and floral cache pot for a pleasing floral centerpiece.
The day before Thanksgiving is quite busy and it would often find Butch and me eating a turkey sandwich at the kitchen island! A couple of years ago I decided to make the eve before Thanksgiving special by setting a pretty table for two in the Sunshine Cottage! The cottage is perfect with the glow of twinkling lights from the autumn tree… romantic, yes I think so! A simple turkey sandwich can be elevated by setting a pretty table!
A classic cottage country Christmas brings together classic traditions and simple casual style. After all, it is our little cottage in the country! A simple flower arrangement of red alstroemeria, white carnations, with fresh cut pine and cedar, plus collected pine cones made a sweet and charming accent for the table! I love sharing something unique on a tabletop, like the miniature guitar. It can definitely bring back memories or start a conversation!
Lidy and Mary have gathered their 2025 flower arrangements to provide seasonal inspiration that you will enjoy! Visit their links below, you will be glad that you did!
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
A special thank you to my readers for following Monday Morning Blooms. I appreciate all of your gracious comments. Wishing you a delightful week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Good morning Pam! Your year of flowers provides some welcome flower therapy and beauty on this cold January morning and has me dreaming of the return of snowball viburnum and hydrangeas! 🌸 Your garden tables and arrangements never disappoint, nor do your settings in the Sunshine Cottage. I’m looking forward to sharing another year of flowers (and memories) with you! Happy Monday and stay warm! 💐❤️
Thank you, Mary❤️
I can’t think of anything I’d love more than going to a citrus themed tea — my favorite flavor! Every table is a gem. Of course, I love the Christmas tables, but that fabulous red table cloth is a knockout! And of course every floral arrangement is a gem. You have such a knack!
Thanks so much, Jeanie. I also think the red floral cloth is perfect and fun!
A beautiful roundup of a beautiful year of blooms and memories, Pam! I think your sunflower table with quilt is a favorite for me also, but I loved the Christmas cottage table too. Each one stirs a desire to have some of what’s blooming in a garden for interest each and every month! January is the only month I have not seen blooms in my own garden, as it is truly our one sure month of sleep in my own garden, but I’d love to find something that brings that element of beauty and surprise. Until then, January is the perfect month for rounding up all of the prior year. I look forward to your 2026 arrangements of garden moments around the home!
Thank you Rita. January is definitely without garden flowers. I have a few camellia blooms, but they are not in their prime. January is a good time to rest and order seeds. I am not sure how long my head gardener will be out. He will be hard to keep sidelined ☺️
Pam, such a beautiful round up of a year filled with gorgeous flowers, settings and memories. What a blessing it’s been to be able to share another year of flowers and inspiration for a life lived beautifully with you, dear friend. I’m looking forward to another year filled with blooms and beauty together. Xo Lidy💐
Thank you Lidy. I also look forward to another year of blooms with you and Mary💕
Pam I love all your tables but my favorite has to be the November in the Sunshine Cottage with romantic dinner for two. How special is that lovely table for you and Butch? A close second would be the Sunflowers and lovely quilt with Aunt Ruby’s sweet napkin rings. Of course anything with your Mothers “things” are special so I guess I just echo my first statement…I love them all because you are so artistic, talented and sentimental. happy January my dear friend.
You are so sweet Kari. I am very sentimental, but so is Butch. Wishing you a happy January, my friend!
Good Morning Pam. Happy New Week. Your Sunshine Cottage lets you have so many outdoor Tablescapes for the seasons. They are always so beautiful. I am looking forward to see what 2026 will bring with your beautiful flowers. Hugs. Kris
Kris you are so sweet and thank you! Happy January!
Pam, The look back was wonderful. The various bouquets are all unique and colorful. The hydrangeas are all outstanding! We’re looking forward to another year of lovely arrangements. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara for your sweet comments❤️
Your post this morning has me longing for Spring. The beauty God gives us is so wonderful and then he gives people like you the talent to share so we can attempt to have these in our homes. Iv had a sinus infection I cane get rid of so I can’t smell or taste a thing but things are looking up. I’ve heard of colloidal silver and I’ve used it twice and it seems the infection is going away. Couldn’t taste a thing or smell anything through out Christmas. Hoping I’ll smell Spring flowers this year. Happy New Year Pam.
Alice, I am so sorry you are sick. Sinus infections are horrible. Take care of yourself and hopefully you will be able to taste and smell soon!
Pam, for some reason I never thought of using treasured pieces from the past, will do so from now on! They are to be used and seen. I loved all the flowers but!! when autumn showed up the colors just come alive. I love autumn flowers.
Nonie, I am very sentimental and I love using something that has a memory attached!
Wonderful post… Só inspiring! Thank You for such beauty!
Thank you, Maristella!
Good Afternoon, Pam!
I remember each of these floral posts! 🥰
How wonderful to reminisce with you again. I can not pick a favorite. I enjoyed all of them. 🥰
I always enjoy how you use treasures from the past because of the memories they evoke. So heartwarming!
I am looking forward to another year of Monday Morning Blooms! 💐
Happy New Year! 💐
Thank you, Nancy. I love using things that have a memory attached. That makes a table special and gives me the opportunity to pass my stories to my grands! Your comments are always sweet!
All your floral posts are so colorful and cheerful, Pam, and I enjoyed looking at your year in review. You know me, and love the treasured memories that you always share. I love each monthly post, but I think I’m in agreement with you on the patchwork/sunflower post. There’s just something so special about it and how you found that tablecloth that your mother pieced.
Thank you for sharing the beauty with us.
Kitty, thank you so much! I love that you share those lovely sentimental pieces that you have. They always make me smile!
Oh, Pam, what a beautiful post! You have paid wonderful tribute to all the seasons and months of the year with your exquisite flowers and tables. I love that you always try to include something with memories and special meaning from the past. I really cannot choose a favorite as they are all lovely, but I definitely lingered over the cottage country Christmas. I’m looking forward to another year of beautiful blooms in 2026!
Kim, you are so sweet! Wishing you a wonderful 2026!
Good morning Pam, seeing beautiful blooms and green grass on a foggy morning is such a joy! Your creativity knows no bounds. But what really got my attention was that lemon pound cake! Perhaps while Butch recuperates he could write some articles on proper pruning of your hydrangeas and how he grows such bountiful zinnias. I’m a day late here bc now that Christmas is down, I’ve been polishing brass and silver, washing crystal, and dusting every nook and cranny. As Mickey said yesterday, our aim is to do what we’ve always down even though it may take a little longer!
Thank you, Roxanne! It has been a gray and drizzly day today. A great day to rest and drink hot chocolate. A piece of lemon pound cake would have been perfect. Yes, we put up and took down at a much slower pace spreading over a few days. I will share with Butch your suggestions. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week!
I’m sending you a twelve-month toast to timeless tables and petals! 🍾
Thank you Mary!
Thank you for blessing me with a year of beauty
The simplicity of the grape hyacinths is my favorite
Thank you Gail. Grape hyacinths are so pretty!
Oh! Come Spring. How your beautiful flower arrangements and tablesettings make me wish for Spring and summer. I’m looking forward to the blooms! What a nice break from this winter day. Have a great week.
Thank you, Leslie. Have a wonderful garden season coming soon!
Such a beautiful respite here from the string of gray days we’ve had here! That first photo brought to mind a cakestand I own that belonged to my mother. I may just try my hand at using it next June to showcase some of our roses. Also had to marvel again at the way you picked up on the pastel colors of the rainbow-glass water goblets, repeating them in the tablecloth, tableware, and flowers. Stunning!
Thank you, Nancy. Your comments warm my heart!
Happy New Year! I’m late to this amazing review of beautiful flowers, dishes, and exquisite setting from throughout 2025. Thanks for this wonderful review, Pam. It’s such a treat to get a glimpse of your property organized for each season. All the best in 2026!
You are never late , Sarah! I appreciate your sweet comments!
What a beautiful collection of 2025 floral memories. I love your use of pieces associated with memories of family. It brings to mind several pieces that I have which shouldn’t just be displayed on a shelf or within a cabinet.
Thank you, Cindie. Pull out those pieces and let them be the stars!
Absolutely stunning photos. Your creations always amaze me, so beautifully done with flowers from you delightful garden.
Thanks so much, Karen!
A beautiful round-up of your gorgeous flowers and tablscapes. Love that you use treasured piece on your table. The flowers are so pretty. Your gardens always amaze me with their beauty. Enjoy this new year and thank you for sharing your lovely blooms.
Thank you Linda for your sweet comments. Enjoy 2026!
Such a beautiful post! I loved looking back over all your wonderful creations. May the Lord bless you and your family in this new year!
Thank you for your sweet comments, my friend!